Commencement 2009

Taking a cue from the church calendar which showed eight days until Pentecost, Dorothy Nickel Friesen told Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary graduates that the Holy Spirit—the Advocate, the Paraclete—will be with them in their ministry.

The John 15:9–17 passage that Friesen used as the basis for her message at the seminary’s commencement service on May 23 comes within a section in which Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death. The disciples are asking, “Where are you going? Can we go, too? Who will stay with us?” Friesen noted that as graduates leave the seminary and move into ministry, they, too, are asking, “Who will stay with us?”

“Each day of ministry, you will call out for the Advocate,” the conference minister for Western District Conference said. She reassured them that as they make hospital visits, wait with grooms as weddings begin, and do other ministry tasks, the Holy Spirit will be with them.

Friesen noted a variety of ministry concerns highlighted in publications for church leaders, including economic stress, addictions, and the need for the church to involve young people. However, she also noted the signs she sees of new vitality in the church. “I see small group prayer cells, community gardens, and barriers between people slowly giving way and allowing new conversations.” She concluded with the reminder that Jesus called his followers “friends,” and added, “God has called you to be salt and light, to be present. God calls you to love one another and to bear fruit.”

Rebecca Slough, AMBS academic dean, called the 2009 graduating class small but “mighty,” explaining that some students who could have graduated this year decided to continue their studies another year. Of the 15 students who graduated in the service at College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., seven received the Master of Divinity degree, three the Master of Arts: Theological Studies, two the Master of Arts: Peace Studies, two the Master of Arts in Mission and Evangelism, and one the certificate in Theological Studies.

Seven graduates will begin or continue pastoral ministry assignments, and one is seeking a pastoral ministry placement. Four will pursue further studies, one will work with Mennonite Church USA, one will continue work with Mennonite.net, and one will pursue peace and justice work.

One graduate is from Kenya and will return to the congregation where he previously served as pastor. Two graduates are from Canada and the remaining 12 are from the U.S.

Friesen is conference minister for Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA, with offices in North Newton, Kan. Prior to taking that position in 2003, she was pastor at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio; assistant dean and director of continuing education at AMBS; and pastor at Manhattan (Kan.) Mennonite Church. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo.

AMBS is a seminary of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA, preparing pastors and other leaders for the church.

Mary E. Klassen / May 2009